DMSFCA

Good god, I haven't heard that. I immediately got on the phone with customer service and she says that they haven't heard anything about that, except they say it in that elusive "That information hasn't been released to us yet." I try to press it with "Well, have you heard any rumours of such thing?" and she just laughed and said "Oh, we always hear rumours..."

Ugh, that would totally suck. I enjoy the card and despite the dwindling benefits, still find them quite useful, but at $5k, no way.

brosnan6

I don't think even Amex is that cracked out to double the fee...

That would be begging for mass cancellations, as if enough people didn't cancel already b/c of SPG plat loss...

masahiro

Hi all,

I'm R&C CLUB 5C member since 2006.
I love R&C properties.
I received R&C directory and magazine for CLUB 5C member every year.

As CLUB 5C member, I tried "Carre des Feuillants and Helene Darroze" in Paris on the Jan, 2007.
As you know, Helene Darroze is very famous foie gras.
However, the taste is too thick for Japanese.

There is VIP Welcome in CLUB 5C benefits.
But I feel there was no VIP Welcome at both restaurants.
However, I know that CLUB 5C membership is very excellent membership.
I'll try again at some properties.

My friend has a very good experience.
e.g.. 25% discount and VIP Welcome, etc.

If you become a CLUB 5C member, you can access to the website for CLUB 5C area.

thanks,
masahiro

damon88

Thank you Masahiro--

It's nice to hear from a club member. It sounds as if your friend sometimes receives offers for discounts. And that perhaps it was easier for you to secure reservations at the restaurants in Paris?

I haven't been able to find much more info.

I know that R&C has many excellent properties.

From an R&C guide I learned:
What the 5 Cs are
Courtesy, Charm, Character, Calm and Cuisine
(these are the characteristics of R&C properties)

That 5C guests: "are guests who appreciate the Relais & Châteaux art de vivre"

and I found a breakdown of guests by nationality (2004)
France 21.8 %
North America 19.4 %
United Kingdom / Ireland 14.6 %
Germany / Austria 13.3 %
Switzerland / Liechtenstein 6.6 %
Italy 4 %
Benelux 4.5 % (Belgium/Netherlands/Luxemberg)
Japan 3.1


Still curious to learn what benefits club membership offers.

Kagehitokiri

$5K =INITIATION FEE FOR NEW CARDHOLDERS

$2500 annual fee for all cardholders

masahiro

Yeah,I was easier to secure reservation at the restaurants in Paris.
When I book the R&C properties, I book it through Centurion Concierge or R&C desk. At that time, I tell my CLUB 5C membership number.
I think that restaurant give me priority secure a table for CLUB 5C member.



Yes, R&C has five characteristics.
My friend has a lot of good experiences as CLUB 5C member.
He got a lot of presents. e.g..free Champagne and desserts,etc..

If you become a CLUB 5C, you have to register your personal information to R&C. After that, you will receive welcome kit of CLUB 5C.(membership card,benefits book and directory book)

As CLUB 5C member, I will try the "La Becasse" restaurant in Japan.
I will see what happen.

thanks,
masahiro

damon88

It sounds as if the Club can help in securing hard to get rsvns. After we receive our welcome kit we are going to try for a table at the French Laundry in Yountville (California) Last time we tried, it was short notice and Cent could only arrange lunch. We decided to wait for another trip.

Thanks for the update.

damon88

Virgin Gold Welcome Kits arrived yesterday.

ID card, 2 luggage tags each and first class upgrade vouchers for Heathrow & Gatwick Express.

Also info packet that explains features like the supplementary Silver membership.

BLV

I just enrolled into Club 5C and wondering what the hotel benefits would be? I'm staying at Il San Pietro in Positano in August (one of the R&C properties) and would love to hear from anyone with 5C/ISP/other hotels experience.

Weez_1000

Has anyone requested a list of the courses available in the Tour GCX?

Kagehitokiri

give them a call @ 877 TOUR GLF (868-7453) ?

says ~25 clubs in NY tri state on their site

masahiro

Hi BLV,

If you are CLUB 5C member, you are able to do comfortable stay and get upgrade to next room category and special amenity!

Don't forget same benefits as "Leaders Club" of LHW, if you are R&C CLUB 5C member.
If you book the LHW's hotels through CTS, you should tell CTS Rep your Leaders Club or CLUB 5C membership number.

Enjoy the CLUB 5C benefits!

thanks,
masahiro

BLV

Thanks, Masahiro

I'm assuming that Club 5C upgrades are on par with upgrades we now get with Cent? Usually they're not available

hchon

I called Cent desk in January, about two weeks before my wife's birthday. They were able to put me on the waiting list at French Laundry and I got a call from FL hostess three days before my wife's birthday confirming a reservation. (I am told anyone with reservation has to call and confirm again three days before the reservation - so maybe there were cancellations?!) Maybe I was lucky since I asked for a specific day (I did say either lunch or dinner). The meal was amazing both from quality and price perspective. and yes very long (3 1/2 hours for lunch). An experience to be had, for sure. and everything was impeccable.

damon88

Cent told me that the restaurant is so popular that they actually have a person who's main job is securing those reservations.

I've had pretty good luck with CConc getting me hard to get reservations--

So far their only failure has been El Bulli.

(does anybody have any tricks??)